Centrifugal cream-separator.



No. 879,994. PATENTED FEB. 25, 1908. W. WITT & F. W. 0. HARTMANN.

GENTRIFUGAL CREAM SBPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR.11,1907.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

Z7 I Z5 E C. HA RTMANN;

fitter/wags flhtwaoow @M 158% A Y ,994. PATENTED FEB. 25, 1908.

W. WITT & P. W. O. HARTMANN.

GENTRIFUGAL CREAM SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. ll 1907.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

1 Heine/1,30

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEroE.

WILLIAM WITT AND FREDERICK WM. 0. HARTMANN, OF RI'PON, WISCONSIN.

CENTRIFUGAL CREAM-SEPARA'IOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM VVITT and FREDERICK W. C. HARTMANN, citizens of the United States, residing at Ripon, in the county of Fond du Lac and State of VVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Cream-Separators; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in centrifugal cream se arators.

The object of the invention is to provide a cream separator of this character so con- I structed and arranged that the capacity of the same will be greatly increased over that of other machines of similar size and of the common or ordinary construction.

A further object is to provide a separator, which will be simple, stron com act and durable in construction, eflicient an reliable in 0 eration and so constructed as to be readi y taken apart for cleaning or other puroses.

' With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :--Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view of the separator; Fig. 2 is a to plan view of the star-shaped separating (evice; Fig. 3 is a side view; Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the same; Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the line aa of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a similar view on the line bb of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view on the line cc of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the chambered operating shaft, showing the arrangement of the vent openings, therein and Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectlonal view on the line 8-8 of Flg. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 denotes the supporting and operating shaft of the separator, said shaft being mounted in a flexible bearing 2 on a suitable supportin frame 2*. Arranged on the upper end 0 the shaft 1 is a separating bowl 3, said bowl being closed at its upper end, as at 4. 0n the shaft 1 is formed an annular enical-shaped basin or recess 6 The head 6 is rovided with an annular flange, in which is orrned an annular groove or channel 7 ada ted to receive the lower open end'of the bow 3. A acking ring 7 a is arranged in the groove or c annel 7 between the lower edge of the bowl and the bottom of the groove or channel, thereby forming a fluid-tight connection or joint between said parts. Between the outer annular wall of the head 6 and the ad'acent inner wall of the lower end of the bowl 3 is formed an annular space 8.

In the head 6 is formed a series of radiallydisposed inclined passa es 9, the upper ends of which open into the annular space 8 around the upper end of the head, while the lower end of said passages communicate with short, radially-disposed horizontal passages.

10 that open through the sides of the enlargement 5 immediately below the head 6. In the head 5 is also formed a vertically-disposed cream passage 11, which communicates at its upper end with the lower end of the conical-shaped recess or basin 6 formed in the u per side of the head. The lower end of tFe passage 11 communicates at its lower end with a tubular nip le or adjusting screw 12, which is screwed into a threaded opening formed in the side of the enlargement 5 at the lower end of the passa e 11. By screwing the tubular nipple inwar ly or outwardly in the threaded opening, the rich- I ness in butter-fat of the cream drawn therethrough may be determined.

The bowl 3 is securely held in position on the shaft 1 and forces it into fluid-tight engagement with the packing ring in the groove of thehead 6 by means of a clamping nut 13 adapted to be screwed into the threaded upper end of the shaft 1, as shown. The shaft 1 is provided in its upper end with a chamber 14, which extends downwardly therein, as shown. Supported upon an arm or bracket of the main supporting frame of the machine is a reservoir or hopper 17, in the lower end of which is arranged a feed tube 1.5. The lower end of the tube 15 fits or telescopes into a feed tube 16 that projects downwardly into the chamber 14 in. the upper end of the shaft 1. The milk from the reservoir or hopper 17 is fed through the tubes 15 and 16 into the chamber 14. On the shaft 1 opposite the lower end of the chamber 14 is formed an annular enlargement 18 having on its upper side an annular upwardly-projecting flange 19, between which and the outer side of the shaft is formed an annular channel or cup 20. On the enlargement 18 is formed an annular shoulder 21, on the lower edge of which is formed an annular flange 21. The shoulder 21 is provided with exterior screw threads and screwed upon the same is an upwardly-projecting sleeve or collar 22. On the upper end of the collar 22 is arranged a plate 23, the diameter of which is considerably greater than that of the sleeve or collar 22, thereby forming a projecting annular flange around the same. In the plate 23 is formed a centrallydis posed aperture, through which the shaft 1 projects, said. aperture being of greater diameter than the shaft, thereby forming between the outer Wall of the shaft and the wall of the aperture a space, through which cream is adapted to pass into the cup or annular space 20. Supported upon the plate 23 is arranged a separating device 24, which is preferably substantially star-shaped in cross section and formed of a single sheet of metal bent to form a series of radial projeetions 24 that separate the space in the cylinder 3 above the plate 23 into a series of compartments 25, 26. The inner ends of the projections 24 extend beyond the edge of the aperture in the plate 23, so that the spaces 25 and 26 communicate with the cup 20 below the plate 23. The. plate 23 is also provided with a series of apertures 27 that afford communication with the spaces 25 and the annular space 26 formed between the sleeve or collar 22 and the adjacent outer wall of the cup or channel 20. The channel 20 is in communication with the lower end of the chamber 14 in the shaft 1 by means of a series of passages 28 arranged in the head 1.8 below the cup 20. In the head 18 is also formed a series of verticallydisposed passages 29 arranged between the passages 28 and affording communication between the cup or channel 20 and the lower portion of the cylinder 8, thereby permitting the discharge of the cream from the cup 20 to the basin 6 formed in the upper end of the head 6, the cream being discharged from said basin through the passages 1.1 and the apertured screw or plug 12, as clearly indicated by arrows in Fig. 1 of the drawings. in the shaft 1, ad acent to the upper end of the same and affording commun cation between the chamber 14 formed therein and the spaces and 26 of the separating device are a series of obliquelydisposed passages 30. The passages 30 are so arranged that the upper end of one passage projects over the lower end of the next adjacent passage, thereby forming a practically continuous opening from the passage 14 to the separating device.

Arranged upon a suitable support on the main frame of the separator and surrounding the enlargement 5on the shaft 1. are compartments 31 and' 32 toreceive thecream erases 4 and the skimmed milk, which is respectively discharged. therein through the passages 11' and screw lug 12 into the enlargement 5 a d througii the passages 9 and 10 in the head 6. The receptacles 31 and 32 are, respectively, provided with discharge spouts 31 and 32 by means of which the cream and skimmed milk therein are conducted therefrom.

The lower end of the shaft 1' is journalcdin a bearing sleeve 33 arranged in the main supporting frame, said sleeve having screwed into its lower end a bearing plug 34, on the upper reduced end of which is arranged a ball 35. In the lower end of the shaft 1 is arranged. a bearing plug 36 that rests and turns upon the ball 35. The plug 34 is preferably held in place by means of a jam-nut In the upper end of the sleeve 33 is ar ranged an oil-receptaele 36, which communicates with the interior of thesleeve 33 through. ports 37. In the main supporting frame of the machine above the lower bearing of the shaft is arranged a second bearing sleeve 33, through which the shaft passes, said sleeve being yieldingly supported in the frame by a rectangular flexible supporting collar or frame 34. The sleeve 33 is provided with an oil receptacle and ports similar to those shown and described in the sleeve (in the shaft 1 adjacent to its lower end is arranged a worm 39, which is adapted to be engaged by a worm gear 40, said gear being mounted and driven by suitable mechanism, not shown.

In the arm or bracket on the upper end of the main supporting frame is arranged a re movable platform 41, which is held in place by a set screw 42 and is ada )ted to support the reservoir or hopper 1.7. he platform 41 is provided with a centrally-disposed passage 43, through which the feed tube 1.6 from the hopper 17 is adapted to pass into the upper end of the chamber 14 of the shaft 1. By removing the platform 41 and the hopper 17 and unscrewing the clamping nut 13 from the upper end of the shaft 1, the bowl 3 may be readily removed to afford access to the separating parts arranged therein, thus'j erinitting said parts to be easily cleansed or repaired when necessary.

Inthe operation of the machine, when the bowl is rotated very rapidly, the milk in the hopper 17 passes down the feed tube into the chamber 14 in the shaft-'1. The centrifugal force carries the milk to the wall ofthe chamber where it passes downwardly along said wall and out through the radial passages 28 into the annular chamber 26 between the against the vertical walls of said compartments and will graduallypass up said walls and over the upper edge of the same at the top of the bowl. After the skimmed milk passes over the walls, the same enters the compartment 26 and passes down therethr ugh and out between the outer edge of the plate 23 and the inner wall of the bowl 3 into the space below the plate 23, where it runs down said wall into the annular space 8 betv. een the upper portion of the head 6 and the adjacent wall of the cylinder,. from whence the skimmed milk is conducted by the passages 9 and 10 to the skimmed mil receptacle 22 and is conducted therefrom through the discharge spout 32 The cream contained in the milk flowing into the V-shaped spaces 25 being too light to be carried up and over the walls of said spaces passes to the center and against the walls of the shaft 1 and passes downwardly through the center opening of the plate 23 into the cup 20, from whence it is conducted through the passages 29 and discharged into the basin 6 from which it is discharged through the passage 11 and hollow plug 12 to the cream receptacle 3], from whence it is discharged through the spout 31. Should any of the cream be carried over the wall of the spaces 25 it being lighter than the milk will pass to the center against the inner points or apexes of the walls of the V-shaped spaces 26 and will run downwardly and be discharged at the lower end thereof into the cup 20, from whence it will be discharged through the passages 29 into the basin 6", as hereinbefore described.

In the operation of the machine, owing to the rapidity with which the bowl is revolved, there will always be a space around the shaft both inside and below the separating device and in the center of the shaft chamber 14, which will not be filled with milk or cream, and in these spaces the air and gases from the milk will accumulate. In order to prevent the accumulation of this air and gas, which would cause the milk to froth and bubble, thus clogging the machine, suitable provision is made for the escape of the air and gas from the \I-sliaped spaces of the separating device. This escape is preferably provided for by providing the holes or apertures 30 in the shaft 1 ad jaceut to the upper end thereof and above the lower end of the feed tube 15, so that the accumulated air and I into the channel 26 and from thence upwardly through the passages 27 into the lshaped spaces of the separator. The air 1n the space below the plate 23 willescape upwardl through the passages 29. It has been ound that by thus venting the interior of the bowl and other parts of the machine, the rapidity with which the latter will separate the milk and cream is greatly increased and all of the butter-fat will be removed.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the in vention will be readily" understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is I 1. In a cream separator, the combination with a rotary bowl, of a feed chamber extending downwardly within the axis thereof, means for introducing mlik into the upper end of said chamber means for permitting air to escape from said chamber intermediate its ends, a separating device arranged in said bowl. and removably connected to the axis thereof, and means to conduct the milk from the lower end of said chamber to said separating device, substantially as described. A 2. In acream separator, the combination with a revolubly-mounted shaft having in its upper end a vertically-disposed chamber, the upper portion of the wall of said chamber being provided with obliquely arranged slots, of a bowl removably attached to said shaft when operated thereby, means to introduce milk into the chamber of said shaft, a se arating device removably connected to t e latter within said bowl, means whereby the milk is conducted from the chamber to said shaft through said separating device, and means to discharge the separated milk and cream therefrom, substantially as described. In a cream separator, the combination with a revolubly-mounted shaft having in its upper end a vertically disposed chamber, of a supporting head formed on said shaft, said head having arranged therein milk and cream passages, and a cream receiving basin,

a bowl removably-mounted on said shaft and around the same, which communicates with the discharge passage therein, a late arranged on the upper end of saidcoll arabove said cup, said plate having 'formed therein apertures which communicate with the cup and with the annular space around thesame, a separating device arranged on said plate in the upper portion of the bowl by means of ,which the milk and cream passin from the lower end of the chamber in saidish'aft are separated and discharged through the passages in the head on said shaft, and independent receptacles arranged on said head to receive said separated milk and cream, substantially as described. v 1

4. Ina cream separator, the combination with a revolublymounted shaft having a chamberedupper end, a bowl mounted on said shaft to turn therewith, a cup formed 'on said shaft, a collar arranged on said cup to form an annular channel, a plate on said sleeve and cup, said plate having inlet and discharge passages to communicate respectively with said channel. and cup, and a separating device arranged on said plate, said device forming a series of radially-dis osed V-shaped separatingispaces in said ')owl, substantially as described. I

-5.- In a cream separator, the combination with a revolubly-mounted shaft chambered in its upper end and having formed therein erase;

an annular series of gas and air vents ar ranged obliquely around the shaft, a head on said shaft having a series of milk and a series of cream discharge passages formed therein, a bowl having a closed upper end, means to removablv secure said bowl on the shaft, a recessed enlargement formed on said shaft, within said owl, said enlargement having milk disch, ge passages communicating with the chamber in said shaft and cream dischar e passages formed tliierein, a collar removailymounted on said enlargement to form an outer annular channel, a supporting plate on said enlargement, said plate having formed therein a series of milk assages to communicate with said annular c lannel, and a cream discharge aperture surrounding said shaft and communicating with said on and a separating device "Jranged on said piate to form a series of V-shaped separating spaces in the upper portion of saidbowl, substantially described. 1

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM WI'IT. FREDERICK WM. C. HAR'IHANN.

Witnesses:

" R. BUoHHoLz, 3 "H. M; OLDER. x 

